KU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS with University of Missouri St Louis in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kansas is larger than University of Missouri-St Louis based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 14,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting); University of Missouri St Louis is in Saint Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri St Louis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kansas 18:1; University of Missouri St Louis 13:1.

KU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU or University of Missouri-St Louis? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Missouri St Louis than KU ($14,008 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 15.9% lower than at University of Missouri St Louis ($11,358 vs. $13,502).
• University of Missouri St Louis is 16.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than KU (about $2,010 more per year; $14,112.00 vs. $12,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at University of Missouri-St Louis than at University of Kansas (about $4,680 more per year; $35,112.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri St Louis than at University of Kansas (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri St Louis students is 48.1% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($17,096 vs. $11,541).

KU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KU or University of Missouri-St Louis? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Missouri-St Louis and KU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is 10 points higher than at University of Missouri-St Louis (1180).
• Incoming KU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at University of Missouri-St Louis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 1070/1300; University of Missouri St Louis 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 20/28; University of Missouri St Louis 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KU - Test optional; University of Missouri-St Louis - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at University of Missouri-St Louis (3.5).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than University of Missouri-St Louis (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at KU vs. 12.6% at University of Missouri-St Louis.

KU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KU and University of Missouri-St Louis? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Kansas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Missouri St Louis's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than University of Missouri-St Louis graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $487 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-St Louis graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,987).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-St Louis graduates ($211 vs. $217).
• More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-St Louis students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.